Combination cleaning utensil and dustpan

ABSTRACT

The present application relates to a cleaning utensil in combination with a dustpan. The cleaning utensil includes a cleaning head supporting a plurality of cleaning fibers, a hanging hole located in the cleaning head, and a pole connected to the cleaning head by a release mechanism. The dustpan includes a bottom wall, a sidewall extending upward from the bottom wall, and a snap connector located on the dustpan. The hanging hole mates with the snap connector to releasably secure the cleaning head and the dustpan together.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This patent application relates generally to a cleaning utensil, such as a broom, duster, brush, or the like, in combination with a dustpan. More particularly, this patent application relates to a cleaning utensil and dustpan that securely interlock with one another, for example, for storage or transportation purposes.

2. Related Art

Cleaning utensils, such as brooms, dusters, brushes, and the like, as well as dustpans, are known in the art. The cleaning utensils are generally used to clean relatively flat surfaces, such as floors, sidewalks, decks, walls, or the ceiling. The dustpans can be used to collect and discard dirt and other debris from the cleaning utensil. Commonly, the cleaning utensil and dustpan are stored together, for example, in a closet, garage, utility room, or laundry room. The cleaning utensil and dustpan are also commonly transported together. However, the prior art lacks a way to conveniently and securely fasten the cleaning utensil and dustpan together, for example, for storage and/or transportation. Therefore, there remains a need in the art for a cleaning utensil and dustpan combination that overcome the shortcomings of conventional solutions.

SUMMARY

According to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a cleaning utensil in combination with a dustpan comprises: a cleaning utensil comprising a cleaning head supporting a plurality of cleaning fibers, a hanging hole located in the cleaning head, and a pole connected to the cleaning head by a release mechanism; and a dustpan comprising a bottom wall, a sidewall extending upward from the bottom wall, and a snap connector located on the dustpan, wherein the hanging hole mates with the snap connector to releasably secure the cleaning head and the dustpan together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of illustrative embodiments of a cleaning utensil and dustpan will be apparent from the following detailed description, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative cleaning utensil according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an illustrative dustpan according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial, perspective view of the cleaning utensil of FIG. 1 interconnected with the dustpan of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a partial, exploded view of the cleaning utensil of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative embodiments of a cleaning utensil and dustpan are discussed in detail below. In describing the embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected. While specific embodiments are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The present invention relates to a cleaning utensil in combination with a dustpan. FIG. I shows an illustrative embodiment of the cleaning utensil 10, and FIG. 2 shows an illustrative embodiment of the dustpan 50. As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning utensil 10 and dustpan 50 can be conveniently and securely connected to one another, for example, for storage or transportation, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

Referring to FIG. 1, an illustrative embodiment of the cleaning utensil 10 is shown in the form of a broom. The present invention is not limited to brooms, however, and the cleaning utensil 10 can alternatively comprise other forms of cleaning utensils, such as, without limitation, a brush, duster, sweeper, or mop. However, purely for the sake of convenience, the cleaning utensil 10 will be described herein with respect to a broom.

The cleaning utensil 10 can include a cleaning head 12 supporting a plurality of cleaning fibers, such as bristles 14, microfibers, or other materials. The cleaning head 12 can be attached to a pole 16, for example, by a release mechanism 18, to be described in more detail below. The pole 16 can be ergonomically curved, for example, to place the cleaning head 12 in a convenient position angled away from a user's body.

The cleaning head 12 can include a handle portion 22, which may be formed integrally with the remainder of the cleaning head 12, or alternatively, may be a separate part attached thereto. A user can hold the cleaning head 12 by the handle portion 22, for example, when the pole 16 is detached. This may allow the user to use the cleaning utensil 10 as a hand brush or similar tool, for example, to access tight corners or other hard-to-reach spaces.

A hanging hole 24 can be located in the cleaning head 12. The hanging hole 24 is preferably sized and dimensioned to receive a peg, hook, or other structure, to facilitate hanging of the cleaning utensil 10, for example, during storage. Although the hanging hole 24 is shown as being circular, other shapes are possible, for example, without limitation, square, rectangular, polygonal, or free form. The hanging hole 24 can also facilitate a secure and convenient interconnection between the cleaning utensil 10 and dustpan 20, as will be described in more detail hereinafter. As shown in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1, the hanging hole 24 is located at a junction between the handle portion 22 and the remainder of the cleaning head 12, however, other locations are possible.

Referring still to FIG. 1, a handle 20 can be located at the top of the pole 16 to facilitate easy and comfortable gripping by the user. The handle 20 can be formed from a soft, ergonomic material, such as rubber or foam. A second hanging hole 26 can be located on the handle 20, for example, to facilitate hanging of the cleaning utensil 10 in a different orientation. Similar to the hanging hole 24, described above, the second hanging hole 26 is not limited to the round configuration shown, and can have any number of shapes and configurations, such as, without limitation, square, rectangular, polygonal, or free form. The second hanging hole 26 can also be used to secure the cleaning utensil 10 to the dustpan 50 via the handle 20.

Referring to FIG. 2, the dustpan 50 will be described in more detail. The dustpan 50 can generally include a bottom wall 52, which may be, according to an illustrative embodiment, substantially flat, for example, to facilitate placement on a flat surface to be cleaned, such as a floor, sidewalk, or deck. According to alternative embodiments, however, the bottom wall 52 can have other shapes, for example, curved or angled, to conform to various different types of surfaces that may need to be cleaned. One or more sidewalls 54 can extend generally upwardly from the bottom wall 52, forming an enclosed area with the bottom wall 52 for entrapping dirt, debris, or other substances. The dustpan 50 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 2, and can have any number of different shapes.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the dustpan 50 can define a leading edge 56 on the bottom wall 52, and leading edge(s) 58 on the sidewall(s). To protect furniture, walls, baseboard, or other items during use of the dustpan 50, a resilient guard 60 can cover the leading edges. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the resilient guard 60 can comprise a rubber strip that extends forward from the leading edges 56 and 58. The resilient guard 60 can comprise a single piece attached to the remainder of the dustpan 50, or alternatively, multiple pieces attached to the remainder of the dustpan 50. The dustpan 50 can also include toothed notches 62 located in one or both sidewalls 54. The notches 62 can be used, for example, to clean dust, debris, or other substances from the cleaning fibers 14 of the cleaning utensil 10.

The dustpan 50 can also include a portion 64 that substantially conforms to the shape of the handle portion 22 of the cleaning utensil 10, as shown in FIG. 3. For example, the portion 64 can comprise part of the sidewall 54, as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the portion 64 can be separate from the sidewall 54.

A snap connector 70 can be located on the dustpan 50. For example, the snap connector 70 can extend from the bottom wall 52 of the dustpan 50, however, other locations are possible. For example, the snap connector 70 can alternatively extend from the sidewall 54, although such a configuration is not shown in the drawings. As shown in FIG. 3, the snap connector 70 and the hanging hole 24 in the cleaning head 12 can mate with one another to releasably secure (e.g., “snap”) the cleaning utensil 10 and the dustpan 50 together, for example, for storage or transportation purposes. Additionally or alternatively, the second hanging hole 26 (located in the handle 20 of the cleaning utensil 10) can mate with the snap connector 70 to releasably secure the cleaning utensil 10 and dustpan 50 together.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the snap connector 70 can comprise a substantially cylindrical protrusion that extends from the bottom wall 52, or other portion, of the dustpan 50. The snap connector 70 can alternatively have a square, rectangular, polygonal, of free-form cross-section, however, it is preferable that the snap connector 70 and the hanging hole 24 and/or hanging hole 26 have mating shapes that provide a secure and releasable connection between the snap connector 70 and hanging hole 24 and/or hanging hole 26.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the snap connector 70 can include a lower portion 72 where it is joined to the dustpan 50, for example, at the bottom wall 52. The snap connector 70 can also include an upper portion 74 opposed to the lower portion 72, for example, at the top of the snap connector 70. A circumferential rim 76 can protrude around at least a portion of the upper portion 74, for example, in the radially outward direction. The circumferential rim 76 can provide a “snap” connection between the snap connector 70 and the hanging hole 24 and/or hanging hole 26, for example, due to an interference fit between the rim 76 and the hole 24 and/or hole 26, however, other types of connections are possible. The circumferential rim 76 can extend around the entire circumference of the snap connector 70, as shown in FIG. 2, or alternatively, can extend partially around the circumference of the snap connector 70, for example, in segments.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the snap connector 70 can have a hollow shape that extends through the dustpan 50, and accordingly, can serve as a hanging hole for the dustpan 50 alone, or alternatively, for the dustpan 50 and utensil 10, if secured together.

Referring to FIG. 4, a partial, exploded view of an illustrative embodiment of the cleaning utensil 10 is shown. As shown, the lower end of the pole 16, and the handle portion 22 of the cleaning utensil 10 can slide together in a mating relationship. For example, the lower end of the pole 16 can slide into the handle portion 22, as shown, or vice versa. The release mechanism 18 can serve to releasably secure the lower end of the pole 16 and the handle portion 22 together. As shown, the release mechanism 18 can comprise an aperture 23 located in the handle portion 22, and a mating button 17 located on the pole 16, or vice versa. The button 17 can comprise a cantilever member formed integrally with the pole 16, or some other resilient structure, such as a spring-loaded member. The button 17 can engage the aperture 23 to secure the pole 16 and cleaning head 12 together. The button 17 can be disengaged from the aperture 23, to permit separation of the pole 16 and cleaning head 12, for example, upon a sufficient pressing motion by the user.

Still referring to FIG. 4, the cleaning fibers 14 can be secured together, and/or can be connected to the cleaning head 12 via a bristle plate 15. One of ordinary skill in the art will know, however, that other techniques and structures can be implemented to fasten the cleaning fibers 14 to the cleaning head 12. A resilient guard 19 can be located between the cleaning fibers 14 and the cleaning head 12. For example, the resilient guard 19 can be clamped between the bristle plate 15 and the cleaning head 12, however, other configurations are possible. The resilient guard 19 can be formed of rubber, or other soft polymer or other material, and can serve to protect furniture, walls, baseboard, and other household surfaces from impact by the cleaning head 12.

The embodiments illustrated and discussed in this specification are intended only to teach those skilled in the art the best way known to the inventors to make and use the invention. Nothing in this specification should be considered as limiting in scope. All examples presented are representative and non-limiting. The above-described embodiments may be modified or varied, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. 

1. A cleaning utensil in combination with a dustpan, comprising: a cleaning utensil comprising: a cleaning head supporting a plurality of cleaning fibers; a hanging hole located in the cleaning head; and a pole connected to the cleaning head by a release mechanism; and a dustpan comprising: a bottom wall; a sidewall extending upward from the bottom wall; and a snap connector located on the dustpan; wherein the hanging hole mates with the snap connector to releasably secure the cleaning head and the dustpan together.
 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the snap connector extends from the bottom wall of the dustpan.
 3. The combination of claim 2, wherein the snap connector comprises a substantially cylindrical protrusion.
 4. The combination of claim 2, wherein the snap connector includes a lower portion joined to the bottom wall of the dustpan, and an upper portion opposed to the lower portion, further wherein a circumferential rim protrudes around at least a portion of the upper portion.
 5. The combination of claim 1, wherein the snap connector is hollow.
 6. The combination of claim 1, wherein the cleaning head includes an integral handle portion.
 7. The combination of claim 6, wherein the hanging hole is located adjacent to the handle portion.
 8. The combination of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism comprises an aperture in the cleaning head, and a mating button located on the pole.
 9. The combination of claim 8, wherein the button releasably engages the aperture.
 10. The combination of claim 1, wherein the pole is curved.
 11. The combination of claim 1, further comprising: a handle located atop the pole, wherein the handle defines a second hanging hole.
 12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the second hanging hole mates with the snap connector.
 13. The combination of claim 1, wherein the dustpan defines a leading edge where debris enters the dustpan, and a resilient guard is located on the leading edge.
 14. The combination of claim 13, wherein the resilient guard is rubber.
 15. The combination of claim 1, further comprising: toothed notches located in the sidewall.
 16. The combination of claim 1, further comprising: a resilient guard located between the cleaning fibers and the cleaning head.
 17. The combination of claim 16, wherein the resilient guard is rubber.
 18. The combination of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cleaning fibers comprises bristles. 